Putin warns against Civil War in Egypt after Ousting of Morsi

Christof Lehmann (nsnbc),- Russia´s President Vladimir Putin, has warned that the violence and the impasse between supporters and opponents of the ousted Egyptian President, Mohammed Morsi, could lead to a civil war in Egypt.

During a visit to Kazakhstan on Sunday, President Putin voiced his concern about the present situation in the North African country and his concern about the risk that the situation could develop into a civil war. Putin said, that he would like to see the Egyptian people avoid this fate. During clashes today, more than 50 people have been reported killed.

Mohammed Morsi was ousted after one year in office, when disputes between his administration and the opposition, over Morsi´s suspension of the Constitutional Court and Parliement, as well as subsequent changes to the constitution and election laws, made it almost impossible for other than Islamist parties, including Morsi´s own Freedom and Justice Party, and the coalition party, the Salafist al-Nour Party, to register for elections.

The ousted President, who had illegally suspended the Constitutional Court and Parliament, and who subsequently and illegally had changed the country´s Constitution and Election Laws, defied the millions of protesters, insisting on the fact that he had been democratically elected, and that he only would step down if he was defeated in another democratic election.

The protesters countered by warning, that they would begin a nation wide, open ended, peaceful civil disobedience campaign and strikes, which effectively would have brought the entire nation to a stand – still and threatened the country´s economy and national security.

Clashes between supporters of the opposition and supporters of Mohammed Morsi, the Freedom and Justice Party and the Muslim Brotherhood have since continued. After the appointment of Mohamed el-Baradai for the post of interim-Prime Minister, the Salafist al-Nour Party threatened to withdraw from the political scene, implicitly threatening that it would organize other than political resistance.

The Salafist al-Nour Party supported the Morsi / Freedom and Justice Party (Muslim Brotherhood) government as coalition partner, but withdrew its support and endorsed the ousting of Morsi when the military stepped in.

Islamist protesters, including supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafist al-Nour Party are increasingly using small arms against the Egyptian military and against supporters of the coup, initiating an escalating spiral of violence. During clashes today more than 50 protesters have been killed. Morsi supporters blame the military, while the military and civilian eyewitnesses report that “terrorists” eventually agent provocateurs, opened fire on the pro Morsi protesters.

A destabilization of Egypt and a descend into a civil war would have devastating consequences for the country´s already ailing economy and for its population. With Egypt being one of the most populous countries in Northern Africa and the Middle East, and considering its geo-political significance, the development of a civil-war like situation in Egypt could also have most serious regional consequences.

About the Author

Christof Lehmann - Dr. Christof Lehmann is the founder and editor of nsnbc. He is a psychologist and former independent political consultant on conflict, conflict resolution and a wide range of other political issues.
In March 2013 he established nsnbc as a daily, independent, international on-line newspaper. He can be contacted at nsnbc international at nsnbc.wordpress@gmail.com

You are wrong Hossam.
The Egyptian political system has, similar to for example the United Kingdom, an upper house of parliament ( like the house of Lords in the UK) and a lower chamber of parliament, where all the directly elected parliamentarians are. Morsi did “not” suspend the upper house of parliament, but he did suspend the lower house of parliament. The fact that Morsi suspended the country´s judiciary is simply beyond any discussion. Maybe you should read independent media more often to get to the truth. I hope that this will help you to fully understand the reality of the situation.